India 3-2 Pakistan Highlights, SAFF U17 Championship: Rahan Ahmed's Goal Puts Blue Colts Top Of Group B

Good afternoon to all the football fans tuning in to the start of our live blog between India and Pakistan. Both sides have won all of their group-stage matches so far and have booked their places in the knockouts, making this game a formality. However, whenever India face Pakistan in any sport and at any level, it’s always a highly-charged affair.

The kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM IST, so stay tuned for pre-match updates and lineups as they are released.

The match between India U17 and Pakistan U17 will be live-streamed for free on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel. There will be no live telecast of the match.

You can also follow the India vs Pakistan live score on Outlook India for free.

Manashjyoti Barua (gk), Yumnam Maldino Singh, Indra Rana Magar, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang, Kamgouhao Doungel, Dallalmuon Gangte, Md Aimaan Bin, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Wangkhem Denny Singh

Samar Razzak (gk), Abdul Samad (c), Nadeem Hussain, Muhammad Alam, Syed Muhammad Aabis Raza, Shahid Anjum, Ibrahim Asif, Hamza Yasir, Mansoor Ahmad, Muhammad Essa, Muhammad Abdullah

We are done with the pre-match formalities, including national anthems for both nations. Interestingly, unlike in the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian and Pakistani players high-fived with each other. Both sets of players are in a huddle. Expect kick-off soon.

Referee Kasun Weerakkody blows his whistle, and the match is underway! The Blue Colts are on the press right away, winning posesssion and looknig to break into the Pakistani half with intent.

Most of the attacking moves have come from Pakistan's way in the opening five minutes. However, both sides are struggling to keep posession at the moment due to some poor decisions in the final third of the pitch.

India win a free-kick in Pakistan's half, with Abdul Samad clattering into the back of Denny Singh. The Pakistani skipper talks back to the referee, and earns a yellow card for his efforts.

India have settled into the match and have gone on the hunt, putting constant pressure on the Pakistani back line. For now, though, no real goal chance fashioned, with the final ball being disappointing.

The first real chance of the game, and it falls to India. Doungel had made a terrific run into the box and was played through. He had two options, either to shoot or cut it across the face of goal. He chose the former, but the shot was straight at Razzak.

The resulting free-kick is played to Hamza Yasir at right back, and he puts in a delicious lofted cross into the box that almost finds Abbas Raza. However, Baruah stands tall to grab onto the ball.

First test for the Indian goalkeeper, and he does well. A free-kick from 40 yards out is floated into the box, and three Pakistani players converged in front of Baruah. Hamza Yasir has a scuffed shot at goal, but the goalie makes himself big to put it behind for a corner.

Pakistan have maintained their high-octane brand of football, pressing high to put the Indian defence under pressure. However, the Blue Colts haven't been under any trouble so far, and have threatened in patches. Time for the first drinks break.

Muhammad Abdullah tried to run past Magar, but the defender slid in to regain posession. The Pakistani player goes down in pain, and his teammates appeal for a penalty, but the referee is unmoved. Replays show that the Indian player was very lucky indeed.

Beautiful build up from India, and a terrific finish from Gangte at the end of it. Skipper Denny Singh did well to cross the ball from the left edge of the box, and it fell to the Indian forward who made no mistake with his shot.

Pakistan have continued to employ a high backline, living dangerously against wave upon wave of Indian attack from the flanks. However, the Blue Colts need more quality on the crosses they are putting in, as Pakistani defenders have cleared them with ease so far.

A very good chance for Pakistan to equalise, and it comes from a good corner that is floated into the box. Yasir outjumped his marked and got a downwards header. The ball bounced in front of the goalkeeper and, luckily for India, bounced over the crossbar.

PENALTY! Lifeline for Pakistan, as Yasir - who has been the best player for his side so far - is brought down inside the box by Md Aimaan. The referee immediately blows his whistle.

Muhammad Abdullah steps up to tkae the penalty. A very quick runup and a power strike beats Baruah, and Pakistan are level! Sixth goal of the tournament for the Pakistani striker.

With half-time approaching, Pakistan have continued their forward runs. Hamza Yasir is body checked by Gunleiba near the touchline, and the full-back goes down in considerable pain, triggering the fury of the Pakistani bench. The referee opts not to show a card.

Meanwhile, the fourth official holds up his board - a minimum of two additional minutes to be played.

The referee blows his whistle, and a breathtaking first half comes to an end. Both teams go down the tunnel level at 1-1, which is fair considering the neck-to-neck battle we have seen on the pitch so far.

Both sets of players are out on the pitch, and India get the second half underway! One change each for both sides. India bring on Rahan Ahmed, replacing Hrishikesh. Muhammad Awais comes on for Pakistan.

India have been on the attack from get go, and Rahan Ahmed - who was his side's hero in the last match against Bhutan - made a fantastic drive into the box that resulted in a corner. The resulting corner reaches an onrushing Indian defender, but the toe poke is straight at Razzak.

Oooh! India win a free-kick on the edge of the box after Gangte is brought down. The resulting kick is taken by the left-footed Gunleiba, who, instead of crossing, has a direct attempt at goal that took everyone by surprise. Razzak, however, did well to adjust his body and palm it behind for a corner.

Rahan Ahmed is played through by Gangte. The forward has a sublime shot in search of the far corner, but Razzak pulls off a top class save to push it behind. However, it wouldn't have counted anyway as the offside flag goes up.

Another change for India, with Bibiano Fernandes looking to inject some fresh legs into his side. Azlaan Shah comes on, replacing Doungel.

What a finish from Gunleiba, and it deservedly ends up in the back of the net. Credit must go to Touthang, who played in a peach of a low pass to find Gunleiba's run, and his first-time finish goes past Razzak to restore India's lead.

Excellent move once again from India, and Gunleiba almost doubled his tally. Played through on the left flank, the winger was gearing up for a shot, but Razzak bravely came forward and got a vital touch to take the ball away from the Indian player's feet. He ended up hurting himself in the process, receiving attention from the physios.

Absolutely incredible from Hamza Yasir, who caps off an incredible display with a goal to his name. Right after Rahan Ahmed failed to capitalise after being played through at the other end, Pakistan push forward. A shot from distance brings out an acrobatic save from Baruah, but he can't hold on to the ball. The loose ball falls to the onrushing Yasir, who pokes it into an empty net.

Pakistan's can hold on to their parity for three minutes and change, as India regain the lead almost immediately. The blame for this goal must lie squarely on young Razzak, who has been sensational otherwise. A shot from distance is straight at the goalkeeper, but he somehow spills it behind him, and Rahan Ahmed is rewarded for making the run with an empty net tap-in.

Maldino Singh is replaced by Lawmsangzuala. Pakistan take a free-kick from near the half-way line, but it's easily cleared by the Indian defence. 12 more minutes remaining for Pakistan to find the equaliser.

A double change for Pakistan. Goalscorer Muhammad Abdullah is withdrawn, and on comes Syed Shahrum. Shahid Anjum also leaves the pitch for Muhammad Talha.

India look to shore up their defence with another change, as Korou Meitei comes on for Indra Rana Magar. Pakistan, meanwhile, are trying to play in long balls to beat the Indian defensive line, but it's not bearing fruit at the moment.

Despite Pakistan trying to push ahead for an equaliser, India look threatening every time they counter. Azlaan Shah does well to turn from his marker and run down the right flank before putting in a cross, and it almost found the head of Rahan Ahmed, but the defender clears the danger.

How did that not go in?! Denny Singh did exceedingly well hold off against the defenders' pressure and create some space from himself on the left edge of the box before having a shot towards the far corner. It beat Razzak, but hit the inside of the post before agonisingly creeping out.

The fourth official holds up his board, and a minimum of five minutes will be added on at the end of the regulation 90 minutes. Five more minutes for the Blue Colts to hold on to their lead.

The referee finally blows the full-time whistle, and India win the match! Other than a long-range strike from Awais that went just wide of the left post, Pakistan created no threat in the injury time, and it was rather comfortable at the end for the Blue Colts, who go through to the semis as Group B toppers.